Galway United -v- Drogheda United

• Alan Dooley
• Fri, Apr 23 2010


Galway United play the second of three home games in a row on Friday night when they take on Drogheda United in a crunch game for both sides at Terryland Park. (kick-off 7.45pm)

Facing into the last game of the first series, a three-way scrap to avoid the relegation play-off places between these two sides and UCD looks the most likely scenario for the rest of the season, with Bray Wanderers cast adrift at the bottom of the table. Both Uniteds have accumulated five points from their last four games, with both recording unlikely away wins in the capital.

However, both sides most recent fixtures have seen them fail to score in front of their home supporters en route to defeat, a trait which Galway would like to get out of, having scored in only three of their eight league games to date. Clean sheets have also been hard to come by for Sean Connor's side, but the manager is hopeful that his side can quickly get the loss to Dundalk out of their system.

"The two games the previous week caught up on us and we never got going," Connor admitted. "I had to rush back a couple of players who probably should not have featured against Dundalk. We failed to pass the ball and use the wings and our service to the front two was not the best.

"The rest during the week has helped us nurse back a few that were not fully fit and I can now call upon the services of Stephen O'Donnell after suspension. Jamie McKenzie is feeling better after his injury and Derek O'Brien has recovered from a stomach bug."

O'Donnell's return is a welcome boost as his influence was sorely missed on Monday night and even though he may have further games to sit out because of his red card against Bohemians, his availability for Friday night is key.

Alan Mathews can take heart from the fact Drogheda were undaunted on their trips west last year, taking four points from the two encounters. The leakiness in defence which blighted their opening games appears to have been rectified with only two goals conceded in their last three outings. Mathews is well aware of the importance of this tie.

"There are many permutations," he said. "A win would see us go ahead of Galway. This shows how close certain teams are in the league. There is very little between the top four and then the following five are all close together.

"We will of course be looking to get three points on Friday night. We put in a good performance last week against Shamrock Rovers and didn’t get anything. I don’t feel the result reflected the performance."

Paddypower.com Odds: Galway United 21/20, Draw 11/5, Drogheda United 5/2

Galway United
Suspended: None
Injured: Thomas Heary, Gary Curran (both knee).
Doubtful: Jason Molloy.

Drogheda United
Suspended: None
Doubtful: Robbie Martin, Paul Crowley, Jamie Harris, Eoghan Osborne, Glen Fitzpatrick.

Extratime Prediction: 2-1 home win.